June 15, island capital of Basseterre, St. Kitts. Parishioners at the highest levels of Scientology, representing congregations around the world, gather in celebration of the Maiden Voyage Anniversary of the Scientology Motor Vessel Freewinds.

Among those on hand for the celebration are island dignitaries and officials including a Commander representing the St. Kitts Defense Force, presenting the Freewinds an award for their efforts in raising maritime security, plus the country’s acting Prime Minister honoring the Freewinds as “the longest continuous running passenger ocean vessel to grace the shores of St. Kitts.” The festive atmosphere and warm congratulations circulate across island news.

Fireworks illuminate the Freewinds as she weighs anchor from St. Kitts in the Lesser Antilles.

Scientologists wave farewell to the locals dockside in Basseterre, St. Kitts, as the Freewinds casts off for her 31st Maiden Voyage Anniversary Cruise.

Passengers watch St. Kitts recede in the distance as they embark on a voyage from the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands to the Windward Islands.

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, begins a week of captivating events highlighting Scientology advances and achievements around the globe.

Scientologists representing congregations from around the world rise in exuberant applause to greet Mr. Miscavige in the Freewinds’ Starlight Cabaret.

“In accord with all nautical tradition, tonight’s our night of orientation when we shoot a navigational star and set a course for the week ahead,” began Mr. Miscavige. “While through the course of this week, you will behold a seismic wave of future Churches of Scientology welling up to proclaim: Let the islands become the sea.”

In reviewing the legacy of the Freewinds, Mr. Miscavige recounts the nautical credentials of her officers and crew to all gathered. Maritime authorities consider hers as one of the most competent crews in the Caribbean, if not any ocean.

In addition to providing advanced Scientology services, the Freewinds carries out a humanitarian mission to create a safe environment in every port where she travels. Consequently, she partners with civic, government and religious leaders, including while recently docked in Cartagena, Colombia.

While anchored in Cartagena, Colombia, this past April, the Freewinds hosted the 4th International Congress for Religious Freedom, Peace and Security. Spiritual leaders from 15 different religions attended.

Religious leaders attending the 4th International Congress for Religious Freedom gather in the Old City of Cartagena in front of San Pedro Claver Plaza to publicly sign a Declaration of Peace, protecting the right of all religions to practice freely.

In partnership with the Freewinds, faith representatives set about delivering lessons and seminars to their respective congregations and communities across Colombia. That momentum carried on and over to the Colombian Capitol with a National Forum for Religious Organizations, resulting in Colombia’s first policy of religious freedom. As such, the Freewinds is nationally recognized for uniting all religions.

“I’d like to congratulate the Freewinds for everything you do to create harmony between religions. Thank you for all the help and support.”Department of Religious Affairs, Colombia

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) appointed the Freewinds as a training platform to train crew members Caribbean-wide on maritime standards—a distinction it has held since 2007. The Freewinds is the only commercial ship out of over 50,000 registered in the Caribbean with such authority.

As an authorized maritime training vessel, the Freewinds frequently collaborates with Caribbean port security and law enforcement officials to drill disaster response and security scenarios.

All told, the Freewinds and her crew have earned more than 500 awards, proclamations, recognitions and certifications.

In the wake of Freewinds’ accolades, Mr. Miscavige presents a spirited account of milestone accomplishments by Church parishioners in each geographic zone toward creating new Churches of Scientology.

FUTURE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY CHICAGO Located in the heart of downtown, the future Church of Scientology Chicago is under construction for grand opening in the next 12 months.

FUTURE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY VENTURA On US Highway 101, the future Church of Scientology Ventura will be seen by over 100,000 cars a day. The Church is on the runway for completion in preparation for grand opening early next year.

FUTURE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY AUSTIN Austin’s future Church of Scientology stands on what is locally called “The Drag” and directly opposite the University of Texas. The Church is under renovation in preparation for an upcoming grand opening.

FUTURE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY COLUMBUS The future Church of Scientology Columbus is located on US Highway 33 with renovations nearing completion for grand opening in the coming months.

FUTURE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY KANSAS CITY On 18th Street and Grand Boulevard, prominently stands Kansas City’s future Church of Scientology. The facility is on the final runway for completion for grand opening in the coming months.

Attendees are treated to a rousing opening night which forecasts even greater expansion for the Church in the months to come and an exciting run of events through the weeklong convocation.

Parishioners attend a seminar detailing all the news and action from Churches of Scientology around the world. Also covered are the latest advances in dissemination and how they forward the creation of new Churches and local activities.

A hallmark of new millennium Churches of Scientology is their civic collaboration with the local area, thereby becoming a home to the community. The Church of Scientology and Community Centre Dublin, Ireland, has welcomed over 70,000 visitors through its doors in barely 18 months.

The Advanced Organization UK in East Grinstead, England. The Saint Hill estate’s 66 acres are the site of hugely popular events including Summertime Swing Concerts, Christmas Celebrations and Easter Egg Hunts attended by the entire community and local officials.

The Advanced Organization of Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa. Opened as the first of its kind in 35 years on New Year’s Day 2019, the Castle Kyalami is now sacred ground and a site of historic tribal summits.

The seminar further features examples from Churches across five continents and how viewers are tuning in to the Scientology Network in their home cities. In an industry first, the Scientology Network live broadcast is available in 17 languages.

Attendees discover the latest successes and accolades received by the Scientology Television Network. Launched just over a year ago, the Network has earned over 40 industry awards for broadcasting excellence.

Passengers next meet in continental teams and even by city—each aligning to the singular purpose of building Churches on behalf of their congregation and community.

Among the subsequent evening events is a night dedicated to the literary legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

“Indeed, tonight we hear of LRH as an author—a writer so cool and competent, doors opened before he even turned the knob. Or, for that matter, a writer of such authority, his stories were closer to reality than most people’s lives,” said Mr. Miscavige as he introduced the evening presentation in honor of LRH, the writer.

Mr. Dan Sherman, Biographer of L. Ron Hubbard, regales the audience with excerpts from Mr. Hubbard’s written reflections and personal correspondence with aspiring writers on the craft of writing through the 1930s and ’40s.

The night’s presentation includes on-camera interviews of literary lights lucky enough to have crossed Mr. Hubbard’s path. Interviewees include science fiction satirist Philip Klass, who recalled how Mr. Hubbard came up with an idea for a novel, then wrote it in mere days while on a cross-country train; sci-fi editor and author Algis Budrys, who spoke of LRH’s entirely inimitable style of writing; author and editor Bill J. Widder, who confided how LRH left one feeling not only special, but that one could do anything; and novelist Dave Wolverton, who spoke of Mr. Hubbard’s lifelong commitment to helping new writers.

Algis Budrys

Dave Wolverton

Philip Klass

Bill J. Widder

Mr. Sherman’s presentation underscores the many who have been lucky enough to cross paths with Mr. Hubbard or were otherwise touched by his literary legacy. In fact, his Writers of the Future Contest has shepherded more than 500 budding authors into the professional ranks, who have since gone on to publish over 60 million copies of their works.

Topping an unforgettable evening in honor of L. Ron Hubbard’s literary career, is a celebratory concert featuring award-winning composer and musician Mark Isham, South American pop icon Alberto Plaza and Broadway star James Barbour. The trio treats the crowd to an incredible musical journey ranging from jazz classics to R&B melodies and cinematic ballads.

In keeping with tradition for the Maiden Voyage Celebration, another dazzling evening is solely dedicated to honor the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) for advances across a range of humanitarian activities and social betterment initiatives.

“Sit back this evening and take a grip on what we now represent as a shoulder-to-shoulder planetary force—our global campaigns, our social betterment programs and all else the IAS supports to indeed make this world a better place, a saner place, a happier place and a place where the able are free to rise to greater heights,” said Mr. Miscavige in his opening address.

Mr. Miscavige presents stories in evidence of the impact of the IAS spanning all corners of the globe, from Transylvania to Timor Leste and Cabo Verde to Washington State.

SECURING JUSTICE IN WASHINGTON STATE The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) partners with a Washington patient rights activist to expose abuses at the state’s largest psychiatric hospital, ultimately leading to the termination of their certification and federal funding.

PROTECTING ORPHANS IN TRANSYLVANIA In Romania’s Transylvania region, CCHR spearheads an information campaign reaching more than 400,000 citizens resulting in a permanent ban of all abusive psychiatric treatment in 84 orphanages.

SAFEGUARDING STUDENTS IN CHILE In the face of Chile’s nationwide student mental health screening program, CCHR works side by side with a member of National Parliament to pass laws forbidding the forced drugging of children in any Chilean school.

DELIVERING HUMAN RIGHTS TO CABO VERDE In the island nation of Cabo Verde, off the coast of West Africa, United for Human Rights joins forces with five government departments to extend rights education through the National Police, Armed Forces, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education and Ministry of the Interior.

CHANGING LIVES WITH HUMAN RIGHTS IN WASHINGTON, DC A 30-year-old Christian minister links with Youth for Human Rights to impact former prisoners and underprivileged youth in DC’s lowest-income and highest-crime areas. In all, his delivery zones see a 30 percent drop in violent crime, while recidivism rates for program graduates drop from 60 percent to 6 percent.

RAISING RIGHTS AWARENESS IN THE GAMBIA Amidst a crushing dictatorship, a Gambian journalist crusades human rights education in tandem with Youth for Human Rights. Upon meeting with the country’s new democratically elected President, he helps galvanize the creation of the country’s first National Human Rights Commission.

CURBING DRUG ABUSE IN COLOMBIA Drug-Free World’s Bogotá chapter brings drug education to over 180 schools and trains more than 32,000 military personnel. As over 1,100 events are held across the region and more than 5 million reached through media, the President of Colombia steps forth to sign an official decree declaring public possession of narcotics illegal.

SPARKING A DRUG-FREE PHENOMENON IN THE RAINBOW NATION The Truth About Drugs ignites a movement in Joburg North, training more than 2,000 police as drug education specialists, who in turn deliver an anti-drug message to 140,000 citizens. Resultant crime and drug-usage drops span multiple townships across Gauteng Province as police executives request the training of 10,000 more officers.

A DRUG-FREE WORLD OFFENSE AT SUPER BOWL 53 As Super Bowl 53 descends on Atlanta, Drug-Free World runs a weeklong anti-drug blitz reaching over half a million people with Truth About Drugs booklets across the metro region.

BRINGING HAPPINESS TO BELGIUM In Brussels, volunteers set about to reach neighborhoods considered “breeding grounds” for terrorism and wracked by petty crime. As the common sense moral guide, The Way to Happiness, passes hand to hand, crime rates are next dropping 23 percent citywide.

TRANSFORMING EDUCATION IN TIMOR LESTE In answer to the nation’s 50 percent illiteracy rate, Timor Leste natives found a national branch for Applied Scholastics. L. Ron Hubbard’s Study Technology is soon spreading to every district, as they open a permanent Applied Scholastics center in partnership with the country’s United Nations Development Program.

SETTING A MODEL FOR DRUG REHAB Narconon Suncoast is a model drug rehabilitation facility with a success rate outnumbering state averages by 11 times. In addition to partnering with like-minded anti-drug coalitions, the facility employing L. Ron Hubbard’s drug rehab technology is regularly toured by an international list of officials and civic leaders, earning accolades from congressional members for its groundbreaking results.

In all, the night ushers in yet another outstanding period of humanitarian accomplishment and unprecedented growth in the name of a better world.

With the close of the weeklong celebration, the Freewinds sets sail to continue her course of delivering humanitarian help to every port that meets her bow.

THE CARIBBEAN

JUNE 24, 2019

A gathering of parishioners at the highest levels of Scientology representing their congregations around the world, convenes for an annual voyage applauding a spectacular year of Church expansion.

Call it a celebration, call it a convocation with a cause of Scientologists representing 27 nations—the Maiden Voyage is an anniversary resplendent with history, recognition and revitalization.

The tradition of this annual cruise began in celebration of the Freewinds and her original Maiden Voyage in 1988. And while the azure waters where she cuts her wake may suggest otherwise, this is no standard sightseeing holiday. A weeklong religious retreat at sea, the cruise is a celebration of the highest levels of Scientology, when the most advanced Scientologists from across the globe gather for a midyear review of accomplishments and subsequently set their course for future expansion toward creating a better world.

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the religion, began a week of captivating events highlighting Scientology advances and achievements around the globe.

Those in attendance are a delegation of ambassadors representing their congregations from Churches spanning six continents. All together they form a dedicated group of Scientologists who are driving expansion of the religion through the founding of new Churches of Scientology in their geographic zones.

So as a brisk breeze stirred through the port of Basseterre on Saturday evening, June 15, and hundreds of locals and dignitaries bid farewell to all aboard, the Freewinds cast off for what was set to be an unforgettable journey.

“In accord with all nautical tradition, tonight’s our night of orientation when we shoot a navigational star and set a course for the week ahead,” began Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. “While through the course of this week, you will behold a seismic wave of future Churches of Scientology welling up to proclaim: Let the islands become the sea.”

Nightly major events and briefings of the 31st Maiden Voyage covered a broad and exciting agenda—and all of it in alignment with the expectant atmosphere of expansion.

HONORING A HUMANITARIAN SHIP

First port of call in the nights of celebration was the Freewinds herself. The legendary ship combines competence, nautical skill and a humanitarian mission, and the evening showcased her in passionate detail.

To begin, the ship was recognized for impressive seamanship, with a staff of superlative sailors who have steered her to over 440,000 safe miles. Such is her reputation, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) appointed the Freewinds as a training platform to train crew members Caribbean-wide on maritime standards—a distinction it has held since 2007. Yet, the Freewinds is best known as a vessel delivering a humanitarian mission to hundreds of thousands of citizens across the Caribbean isles and beyond.

In testament to that, the evening featured the Freewinds’ Religious Freedom and Peace Congress for Latin America, with spiritual leaders present on behalf of Catholic, Muslim, Eastern Orthodox, Buddhist and Jewish religions among the 15 different denominations that rarely, if ever, convene.

After a welcoming address from Colombia’s Director of Religious Affairs, attendees joined hands in prayer and shortly thereafter walked together from the ship into the Old City of Cartagena to San Pedro Claver Plaza for the signing of an historic interfaith declaration of peace.

Consequently, and after the Congress, each faith representative set about delivering lessons and seminars to their respective congregations and communities across Colombia with Church of Scientology-sponsored initiatives: Truth About Drugs, United for Human Rights and The Way to Happiness. That momentum carried on and over to the Colombian Capitol with a National Forum for Religious Organizations bringing together 400 diverse leaders of faith, legislators and government officials to draft Colombia’s first national policy of religious freedom, guaranteeing the right for every religion to work in harmony.

Such is but a single passage for this humanitarian ship that brings aid wherever she drops anchor. Her legacy was again and newly recognized by officials and dignitaries, including:

The Aruba Port Authority, giving heartfelt appreciation: “We will always be grateful for the Freewinds.”

The Ministry of Culture for Barbados reflecting on a time-honored partnership: “No one comes close to matching the Freewinds’ commitment to Barbados.”

And, the Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis declaring that, “The Freewinds is making a better future for us all.”

Those remarks and recognitions echoed out across the islands and ports the Freewinds frequents, from Cartagena to Aruba, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados and her home of Curaçao. Altogether, the Freewinds has earned over 500 awards, proclamations and recognitions from 52 ports of call to date, for a long-held tradition of service to the Caribbean.

CREATING CHURCHES OF SCIENTOLOGY AROUND THE WORLD

In the wake of Freewinds’ accolades, Mr. Miscavige presented a spirited account of milestone accomplishments by Church parishioners in each geographic zone toward creating new Churches of Scientology. Future Churches featured and on the near horizon include Chicago, Illinois; Ventura, California; Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; and Kansas City, Missouri. And amid the whoops and hollers were the sighs of satisfaction as future dreams came into full view.

Passengers next met in continental teams and even by city—each aligned to the singular purpose of building Churches on behalf of their congregation and community. It was a unique opportunity and what one passenger described as “completely phenomenal, uplifting and inspiring.” Or as another remarked, “This made it very clear where we need to go. It helps to unite the group and get it done together.”

All were further treated to presentations showing diverse Churches from around the world in action. A hallmark of new millennium Churches of Scientology is their civic collaboration on the hard-pressed needs of the local area, thereby becoming a home to their community. Representative examples included the Church of Scientology and Community Centre Dublin, Ireland, where over 70,000 visitors have now come through their doors in barely 18 months; the Advanced Organization UK in East Grinstead, England, where the Saint Hill estate’s 66 acres are the site of hugely popular events including Summertime Swing Concerts, Christmas Celebrations and Easter Egg Hunts attended by the entire community and local officials; and the Advanced Organization of Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, opened as the first of its kind in 35 years on New Year’s Day 2019, and where the Castle Kyalami is now sacred ground and a site of historic tribal summits.

AN EVENING CELEBRATING AUTHOR L. RON HUBBARD (LRH)

The next night, guests were treated to a captivating presentation in honor of L. Ron Hubbard—the writer. It was an evening where Mr. Dan Sherman, the LRH Biographer, regaled the audience with excerpts from Mr. Hubbard’s written reflections and personal correspondence with aspiring writers through the 1930s and ’40s.

He further enthralled attendees with on-camera interviews of literary lights who were lucky enough to have crossed Mr. Hubbard’s path or were otherwise touched by his literary legacy.

The opening chapter told of author and editor Philip Klass who recounted how L. Ron Hubbard pitched a story idea to editors entirely off the cuff as they walked to Manhattan’s Grand Central Station. Onboard a train headed for Los Angeles, Mr. Hubbard finished part one of Typewriter in the Sky before Chicago and part two before reaching LA. “Nobody who’s at least partly human could write like that. When the hell did he sleep? When the hell did he eat?” one editor asked incredulously. Typewriter in the Sky remains among the most celebrated tales of the 20th century and “for that novel, he earned his share of paradise,” declared Mr. Klass.

Mr. Sherman next set the scene with a tale centered around esteemed science fiction author and critic Algis Budrys, who shared an unforgettable encounter with Mr. Hubbard at a New York City writers’ convention and as Budrys described, “He [LRH] showed up … and this wave of energy came up the room and splashed against me.” Budrys further spoke of L. Ron Hubbard’s writing and its influence: “If I hadn’t read Final Blackout, I couldn’t have written my first novel. But you cannot imitate Hubbard. He’s too much of an individual. He made a terrific mark on fantasy and science fiction.… He arced across the sky like a comet.”

Bill Widder, yet another renowned author whose prose was shaped by L. Ron Hubbard, further spoke of a life-changing encounter with LRH on the steps of Columbia University and “how there was something about him. I had the feeling, despite the fact that we were surrounded by two thousand people, that I was the only person in the entire universe.” Widder further reflected on Mr. Hubbard’s ability to stretch human capability, meaning “the assurance that almost nothing is, perhaps nothing is, beyond human potential.”

The fourth and final interviewee of the night was best-selling author Dave Wolverton. A former grand prize winner and contest judge of L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest, Wolverton recognized the success of the competition with former winners going on to sell a combined 60 million copies of fiction and thus the continuing legacy of Mr. Hubbard: “He [LRH] talked about how the artist really inspires a generation. They’re the dreamers who look at the future and therefore help create the future. And I think he was looking for more than just good writers,” Wolverton said. “I think he was looking for people who are ultimately going to make this a better world.”

A NIGHT IN THE NAME OF GLOBAL SALVAGE

Passengers aboard for the Maiden Voyage also attended a gala event honoring the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) and its unerring dedication to not only protect and support the religion, but drive forward a battery of humanitarian campaigns designed for a single purpose—to accelerate the betterment of Mankind. They include:

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), battling and uprooting systemic psychiatric abuse across Washington State Hospitals, curbing maltreatment in Transylvanian orphanages and successfully campaigning for the elimination of forced student drugging in Chile.

United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights, engendering rights adoption and implementation across the island nation of Cabo Verde, spurring rights empowerment with “at-risk citizens” in Washington, DC, and strengthening “voices in the land” who were fighting and subsequently realizing equality in West Africa’s nation of The Gambia.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which carried its crusade to counter drug abuse and thereby inspiring a presidential decree against personal carrying and consumption of narcotics in Colombia, partnering with national police to deliver drug awareness seminars across Gauteng, South Africa, and running a drug-free education blitz to half a million fans at Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, Georgia.

And finally, through IAS-supported programs aimed at broad-scale social support with The Way to Happiness restoring a spirit of brotherhood across the European capital of Brussels, Applied Scholastics extending a literacy lifeline to villages all over Timor Leste in the South Pacific, and Narconon drug rehabilitation blazing a trail for drug rehab success across the state of Florida.

And with that, a magical week came to a close, a week marked by dreams realized and new ones charted for near horizons fast approaching. All that remained was a “fond farewell” and a “bon voyage” from Mr. Miscavige to all passengers for a new year swimming in possibility. So it was, they launched to land with a renewed sense of purpose, spirit in their steps and a proud knowledge of accomplishment of past and present and, most assuredly, a boundless future.